D0616: National dietary survey of adults, Australia, 1983

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(s)
Health, Department of, National Heart
Foundation.

ABSTRACT
The National Dietary Survey of Adults was conducted in 1983
as a component of the Risk Factor Prevalence Study conducted by the
National Heart Foundation in that year (see ASSDA Study No. 414). The
specific aims of the survey were: to collect dietary intake data to
determine the food consumption and nutrient intake of a national
sample of Australian adults; to compare the intake of nutrients and
specific foods in various sub-groups in this population; and to
determine the relationship between diet patterns of the sub-groups and
their body mass index, blood lipid levels, hypertension and other
health factors.

For the dietary section of the survey project, a range of demographic
information was collected, which included: sex, age, region and
country of birth, length of residence in Australia, highest level of
education, employment status, occupation status and occupation,
whether currently pregnant, use of vitamin supplements and saly
intake, and usual way of eating. Respondents were then asked to
complete a 24 hour dietary recall schedule with the assistance of an
interviewer, using standardised techniques such as food models,
calibrated containers and geometric models as aids to assess food
intake.

There are two data files: a dietary intake file, which provides basic
information on each food group consumed and amounts; and a dietary and
nutrient intake file which gives more detailed components of the
nutrients making up the individual food groups.

SUBJECT TERMS
Diet; Nutrition; Public health

UNIVERSE SAMPLED
men and women aged 25 to 64 years living in six State
capital cities

SAMPLING PROCEDURE
multi-stage sample with quota
The sample was selected from defined catchment areas using the 1983
Commonwealth electoral rolls. The seven catchment areas were Sydney
North, Sydney South, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.
Definition of the catchment areas was influenced by geographical
accessibility to the survey centres in each city, and the desire to
draw a representative sample from each city. In general, all electoral
divisions and subdivisions within a radius of 16 km of the National
Heart Foundation centre were included in the survey.

An initial sample size of 1500 in each catchment area was required.
The Perth centre required a sample size of 2400 because it was
participating in the World Health Organisation's MONICA (Multinational
Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease)
Project.

The list of people from each catchment aged 25 to 64 years inclusive
on 30 June 1983 was sorted by sex and 5 year age groups. Systematic
sampling was then used to select the required number of people in each
of the seven catchment areas.

The dietary survey aimed to see as many as possible of those attending
the main survey (n=7640). Due to differing workloads in various survey
centres, however, it became necessary in most centres to select a
sub-sample of this main group. This sub-sample was chosen by
interviewing at least two out of every three attenders, a method
considered unlikely to introduce any selection bias. Some centres were
able to see all of the main sample and others had to revert
periodically to a sub-sampling method.

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
personal interview
The dietary survey was conducted as a part of the Risk Factor
Prevalence Study. After each individual had completed the components
of the Risk Factor Prevalence Study, they were then interviewed by a
dietitian-interviewer for the collection of dietary data using the 24
hour recall method. Standardised techniques were employed, using food
models, calibrated containers and geometric models as aids to assess
food intake. The interviewers undertook preliminary coding of the
dietary data on the record form, using a reference coding manual
specially developed for the survey by the nutritionists in the then
Commonwealth Department of Health.

DIMENSIONS OF DATA SET
number of cases: 121881 (observations)
number of variables per case: 20 ; 42
number of cards per case: 1 X 93 chars ; 1 X 445 chars
6255 individuals were interviewed. The resulting data files are
organised as individual observations consisting of each food group
consumed in the survey period, with each individual having a varying
number of observations. Demographic information is also present for
each observation facilitating the analysis of the data on a food group
basis. Identification numbers are also provided allowing the data
files to be used for individual person analysis.

The data files listed are files of dietary intake, and dietary and
nutrient intake respectively.

ACCESSIBILITY
A copy of the User Undertaking Form must be signed
before data may be accessed.

The following access category also applies: A
A: the depositor wishes to be informed (by the Archives) of use being
made of the data, in order to comment on that use and make contact
with colleagues of similar interests.

PUBLICATIONS
Cashel, Karen et al. National Dietary Survey of Adults,
1983. No. 1 Foods Consumed. Canberra: AGPS, 1986.

English, Ruth et al. National Dietary Survey of Adults, 1983. No. 2
Nutrient Intake. Canberra: AGPS, 1987

English, Ruth et al. National Dietary Survey of Adults, 1983. No. 3
Nutrient Intakes by Capital City. Canberra: Department of Community
Services and Health, 1989.

National Heart Foundation of Australia. Risk Factor Prevalence Study,
No. 2 - 1983. Canberra: National Heart Foundation, 1983.

START YEAR: 1983
END YEAR: 1983

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION: Australia